Avery County commissioners approve budget amendments, appointments and a split vote on Parks & Recreation design services
April 01, 2024 | Avery County, North Carolina
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The Avery County Board of Commissioners on April 1 approved several routine appointments, subdivision plats and budget amendments, and split 3–2 on authorizing initial design services for a proposed Parks & Recreation building.
Among the actions the board approved unanimously were: the appointment of Margaret Earley-Thiele to the Morrison Library Board and AMY Regional Board; March tax collections of $774,169.42 and releases of $855.71; the appointment of Clay Dale, Nancy Owen, Dave Smith, Dedy Traver and Eron Thiele to the Board of Equalization and Review (Dedy Traver appointed chair); final-plat approval for White Oak Knoll Phase 2 (Avery County Habitat for Humanity) and Highland River Estates Lots 1–29; and the county auditor contract with Blackburn, Childers & Steagall not to exceed $39,650.
Budget amendments approved unanimously included: a $19,480 LIEAP grant allocation (no county match); $3,600,000 in state appropriation funds to be passed through to the Fire Commission for a fire-department replacement project; $18,300 for a required second primary (Board of Elections); and technical reallocation to complete the Ag Building Community Room construction.
On a contentious capital-project item, the board voted to authorize CPL Architecture/Engineering/Planning to provide initial design services for a proposed Avery Parks and Recreation Building, with an estimated initial fee of $101,350. The motion passed 3–2. Commissioners Tim Phillips, Dennis Aldridge and Robert Burleson voted for the authorization; Martha Hicks and Wood Hall Young, Jr. voted against it.
Other business included county-manager updates on opioid-settlement RFPs and a broadband (CAB) scope of work filed with state providers seeking approximately $12 million in funding with a potential local ARP contribution of up to $2.5 million; the RFP deadline was reported as April 20. The board approved prior meeting minutes and adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Among the actions the board approved unanimously were: the appointment of Margaret Earley-Thiele to the Morrison Library Board and AMY Regional Board; March tax collections of $774,169.42 and releases of $855.71; the appointment of Clay Dale, Nancy Owen, Dave Smith, Dedy Traver and Eron Thiele to the Board of Equalization and Review (Dedy Traver appointed chair); final-plat approval for White Oak Knoll Phase 2 (Avery County Habitat for Humanity) and Highland River Estates Lots 1–29; and the county auditor contract with Blackburn, Childers & Steagall not to exceed $39,650.
Budget amendments approved unanimously included: a $19,480 LIEAP grant allocation (no county match); $3,600,000 in state appropriation funds to be passed through to the Fire Commission for a fire-department replacement project; $18,300 for a required second primary (Board of Elections); and technical reallocation to complete the Ag Building Community Room construction.
On a contentious capital-project item, the board voted to authorize CPL Architecture/Engineering/Planning to provide initial design services for a proposed Avery Parks and Recreation Building, with an estimated initial fee of $101,350. The motion passed 3–2. Commissioners Tim Phillips, Dennis Aldridge and Robert Burleson voted for the authorization; Martha Hicks and Wood Hall Young, Jr. voted against it.
Other business included county-manager updates on opioid-settlement RFPs and a broadband (CAB) scope of work filed with state providers seeking approximately $12 million in funding with a potential local ARP contribution of up to $2.5 million; the RFP deadline was reported as April 20. The board approved prior meeting minutes and adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
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